Martin XB-33 Super Marauder

History

Prior to World War II (1939-1945), the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) authorities were aware of the inherent limitations of many of their front-line fighters. Notably, it lacks a high-altitude bomb platform to easily evade enemy ground fire using its high-flying capabilities.

In 1939, the service called for a new medium-range bomber to fill the void, leading to consideration of the submission of two competing proposals - the North American XB-28 Dragon (based on their B-25 Mitchell design) ) and the Martin XB-33. These designs received prototype contracts in 1940 (the United States did not officially enter the war until December 1941).

The XB-33 is based on a modified Martin B-26 "Marauder", hence the name "Super Marauder". The first method - the XB-33 - used a slightly more refined form of the B-26, based on the standard twin-engine method (2 x Wright R-3350 "Twin Cyclone" radial engines). Two prototypes of the standard were ordered but never built. Recognizing the capability required for high altitude performance, Martin returned with a four-engine approach (4 x Wright R-2600-15 radial engines - original Wright R-3350 stock now transferred to production Boeing B-29 "Superfortress") A twin engine model, which became the XB-33A. In addition to four engines (two nacelles per wing), the B-26's fuselage and wings were completely enlarged.

Before it was over, the medium bomber looked and worked more like a heavy bomber, as its mass was more in line with other high-altitude aircraft of the time, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

Likewise, in January 1942, the Army ordered two prototypes of this design and an additional 400 production variants designated B-33A (to be built at the Martin Plant in Nebraska). The B-29 production made progress, however, crucially, Martin was awarded a contract to help manufacture it, which completely thwarted the B-33 plan. The production contract for the 400 was cancelled on November 25, 1942, and none of the prototypes were completed.

Meanwhile, the B-29 made war history, the plane that dropped two atomic bombs on Japan and helped end World War II.

The dimensions of the B-33 include a wingspan of 134 feet, a length of 79.9 feet, and a height of 24 feet. The four-engine configuration allowed the bomber to reach a top speed of 345 miles per hour. Seven crew members will operate in a pressurized cabin. The general layout of the aircraft is traditional, with a stepped cockpit at the front, shoulder-mounted main wing near midship, and a tapered tail.

The tail unit has a twin rudder system. Various defensive positions (nose, dorsal turret, ventral turret and stern) will be armed with 8 x .50 caliber heavy machine guns (two guns per position). The projected bomb load (all ammunition stored internally) is 10,000 lbs.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes